It was the show no one thought they'd get off the ground after this year's devastating fires on the South Coast.
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But Milton had a lot to celebrate and weren't going to be stopped. Not only did they have their first Sydney Royal Showgirl finalist for 22 years to celebrate, they also had a mountain of local talent ready to show off - including those of the hirsute kind.
Milton Show Society President Ken Leslie said he was heartened by the turn-out and record horse entries.
The show also put on a mullet competition and the latest edition of the now very popular ute and truck show. The section was the idea of Emily Quinn, who was selected in February to represent Zone 6 in The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition. Emily is the chief steward of the ute and truck section, while her mother Jane is the brains or mastermind behind the mullet competition that was "extremely successful", Mr Leslie said. "Although I'm not sure we should be encouraging that sort of hair fashion," Mr Leslie added.
The show held on March 5-6, went ahead although one major sponsor cut their annual sponsorship by $3000. The shortfall was helped by a State Government one-off $5000 grant that went to 100 Show Societies in NSW. The show also saw some sponsors pull out of the rodeo event, due to pressure from animal activists.
Mr Leslie said he was very happy to see record horse entries at the show. "Naturally with the fires some sponsors needed to put their money elsewhere this year but we were very appreciative of those that did stay on board and we thank them," Mr Leslie said. "We had a really reduced time to put the show on. The showground was used as an emergency centre and also BlazeAid had settled there, but they vacated for the Show. We also didn't expect so much rain to soak the grounds. The atmosphere was great and all the stallholders said they would be returning next year."
A plethora of shows were unable to be held this year on the South Coast and Southern Highlands due to the drought and fires. Attendees were excited to see the show go ahead after other shows in southern NSW including Albion Park, Kiama, Berry, Bowral and Cobargo were called off.
The community came out in force despite the weather and challenges the region has faced in recent months.
The Grand Parade, in particular, was a special highlight.
The main ring was packed with school kids, volunteers, competitors and the community as they paraded around and said thanks to all the hard work of the volunteers during the recent bushfires.
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The mullet competition drew a large crowd at the Milton Show, as tiny tots to older-timers showed off their luscious hairdos.
The stage was set for 15-year-old Bill Joyce-Briggs who had been growing his mullet for just over nine months to enter the competition.
As the Show neared he started noticing more and more people around town donning mullets - he knew the competition would be fierce.
Although he didn't take out the title, around a dozen kids competed in the young guns group alone.
Bill hoped to raise funds for Dolly's Dream Foundation and his commitment to the hairstyle meant he had monthly haircuts.
"[If it didn't get cut] it would go all over my face, down the side of my head."
Bill's friends had mixed reactions to the mullet, but he was keen to get rid of it.
There were five categories for the competition - minis (10 and under), junior (11-14), young guns (15-17), open men's and ladies' manes. More than $600 in prizes were on offer.
Bill's mum is now very relieved the mullet has been cut off.
The mullet winners:
